A Lake Ariel man wanted for the armed robbery of an NBT Bank office in Wayne County on Monday is likely in the Scranton area and may still be driving the stolen SUV he fled in after the holdup, state police at Honesdale said Friday.
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State Attorney General Josh Shapiro vowed Thursday the arrest of seven current and former Lackawanna County Prison guards charged with having sex with female inmates is the “opening chapter” of an effort to unravel the abusive culture that fostered that behavior.
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Michael J. Mullen / Staff Photographer
John Mehalchick Flynn kisses his mother, Karoline Mehalchick, during her investiture ceremony as a federal magistrate judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania at the William J. Nealon Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Scranton on Friday. At left is her father, George E. Mehalchick.

Whether she was playing badminton as a child or trying to beat her father at Scrabble, Karoline Mehalchick was always determined to be the best, said her father, attorney George Mehalchick.

That trait served her well over the years as she built a successful legal practice. And it will ensure she's equally successful in her new position as a federal magistrate judge, Mr. Mehalchick said Friday.

The proud father was among several speakers who joined more than 100 guests to witness Judge Mehalchick be officially sworn in at an investiture ceremony at the federal courthouse in Scranton on Friday.

Judge Mehalchick began serving in the position in July. She is just the second female magistrate judge to sit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the first woman to serve in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton.

The speakers, which also included Lackawanna Judge Trish Corbett and attorney John O'Brien, spoke about Judge Mehalchick's impressive rise to the federal judiciary at age 37.

Judge Mehalchick initially served as Judge Corbett's law clerk after she graduated from law school. It was clear then, Judge Corbett said, that her young protégé was destined for great things.

"She was always prepared, and as a consequence, so was I," Judge Corbett said. "Most of all, she has common sense that belies her young age."

Judge Mehalchick has been a longtime advocate for the role of women in the judiciary. Her appointment to the bench is an important step for women and the public, Judge Corbett said after the ceremony.

"The U.S. is a melting pot. My view is the courts should reflect the people they serve," she said.

Judge Mehalchick is a perfect choice for the post, she said.

"She has zeal, the passion and tireless effort to get the right answers and do the right things," the judge said.

As a magistrate judge, Judge Mehalchick handles civil and criminal cases. Her primary duties in criminal cases involve holding initial appearance hearings for defendants, arraignments and detention hearings. For civil matters, she reviews and issues recommendations on various motions filed by plaintiffs and defendants.

A 2001 graduate of Tulane University School of Law, Judge Mehalchick was employed as an attorney with the law firm of Oliver, Price & Rhodes in Clarks Summit since 2002, and became a partner in the firm in 2008. Her work there provided her vast experience in all areas of law, which will assist her as a judge, she said.

Accompanied by her husband, Michael Flynn, and children, John, 6, and Anna, 4, Judge Mehalchick credited her father and her mother, Rita Gilbride, for pushing her to always do her best and for instilling in her a sense of civic duty. Even as young children, the family volunteered at various charitable events, she said.

"You instilled upon us the value of service at a young age. That sense of service stayed with me when I began law school, and it's what inspired me to apply for this job," she said.

She never envisioned herself becoming a judge, she said. She credited Mr. O'Brien, her former law partner, for encouraging her to apply for the position, which was left vacant when Malachy Mannion was appointed as a U.S. district judge.

"This is one of the most awesome experiences I could hope for and beyond my wildest dreams," she said.

Judge Mehalchick, who serves in Wilkes-Barre, joins four other federal magistrate judges in the Middle District. With her appointment, the court is at full strength for the first time in five years, Chief U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner said.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com

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